User interface for induction heating cooker and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A user interface for an induction heating cooker, a method of controlling the same and an induction heating cooker thereof are provided. The user interface, if a drag touch signal of a drag touch from one position to another position on a display unit is sensed, is configured to change power levels of all of coils in operation to a predetermined reference power level and displays the changed power level. The induction heating cooker is configured to supply the coils with a power corresponding to the reference power level, thereby controlling all of the coils with one drag touch and enabling enhanced security while in a rapid manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/600,732filed on Aug. 31, 2012 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office,which claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2011-0088840, filed on Sep. 2, 2011 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a user interfaceprovided on an induction heating cooker and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the use of an induction heating cooker is increasing toavoid a toxic gas generation and a gas leak accident that may be causedfrom using a gas range.

The induction heating cooker is provided with a user interface to adjustthe power level or the time for cooking such that a cooking process iseffectively controlled according to the configuration of the userinterface and that the time for cooking is reduced.

When the user interface is provided in small size, the manufacturingcost is decreased, but a desired control process is achieved onlythrough a plurality of shifts of screens, and thus the efficiency ofcontrol is degraded. When the user interface is provided in large size,the efficiency of control is improved, but instead, the manufacturingcost is increased.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a userinterface capable of controlling the power of all coils with only onemanipulation without shifting over screens.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a userinterface capable of controlling the power of a desired coil withoutshifting over screens from a main screen.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a userinterface for an induction heating cooker includes a display unit and asensor unit. The display unit is configured to display a power level ofa coil in operation. The sensor unit is configured to sense a touchsignal that is input through the display unit. If the sensor unit sensesa first drag touch signal corresponding to a drag touch from oneposition to another position of the display unit, the display unitdisplays power levels of all coils in operation to a predeterminedstandard level.

If the sensor unit senses a second drag touch signal through the displayunit, the display unit displays power levels of all of the coils inoperation to individual power levels provided at a time when the firstdrag touch signal is sensed.

The second drag touch is performed in an opposite direction to the firstdrag touch.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a userinterface for an induction heating cooker includes a display unit and asensor unit. The display unit is configured to display coil statedisplay units that show operation states of coils in operation. Thesensor unit is configured to sense a touch signal that is input throughthe display unit. If the sensor unit continuously senses the touchsignal for at least one of the coil state display units for apredetermined time or above, the display unit displays a power controlbar at one side of the at least one coil state display unit, the powercontrol bar configured to adjust a power level of a coil correspondingto the at least one coil state display unit.

If the sensor unit senses a drag touch in one direction with respect tothe power control bar, the display unit displays a power level on thecoil state display unit while increasing the power level in steps, andif the sensor unit senses a drag touch in opposite direction withrespect to the power control bar, the display unit displays a powerlevel on the coil state display unit the power level decreased in steps.

If the sensor unit senses that a drag touch with respect to the powercontrol bar disappears, the display unit keeps displaying a power levelthat is provided at a time when the drag touch disappears.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a userinterface for an induction heating coil includes a display unit and asensor unit. The display unit is configured to display a control screenused to control a predetermined coil that serves as an object ofcontrol. The sensor unit is configured to sense a touch signal inputthrough the display unit. The display unit displays a coil map at oneregion of the control screen, the coil map indicating a position of thepredetermined coil relative to remaining coils.

The coil map includes coil state display units for each of the remainingcoils.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofcontrolling a user interface for an induction heating cooker, whereinthe induction heating cooker provides a cooking guide, is as follows: Alist of dishes serving as an object of the cooking guide is displayed.If a touch signal is input for one of the dishes, a cooking processcorresponding to the touch signal is displayed by use of a power leveland a cooking time. If a touch signal for the cooking process is input,a control screen that is used to change a power level or a cooking timeof the cooking process is displayed.

The method further includes following processes. If a touch signal forthe power level of the control screen is input, a control screen that isused to change the power level is displayed. If a touch signal for thecooking time of the control screen is input, a control screen that isused to change the control screen is displayed. If the change of thepower level or the cooking time is completed through the control screen,a cooking process having the m power level or the changed cooking timeapplied thereto is displayed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a userinterface for an induction heating cooker includes a display unit and asensor unit. The display unit is configured to display a screen that isused to set a power level of a predetermined coil serving as an objectof control. The sensor unit is configured to sense a touch signal thatis input through the display unit. If the sensor unit senses a touchsignal for a power level, the display unit displays a type of cookingcorresponding to the power level.

The type of cooking is set according to a respective power level inadvance.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, aninduction heating cooker includes a user interface and a control unit.The user interface is configured to display power levels of all of coilsin operation at a predetermined standard level, if a drag touch signalcorresponding to a drag touch from one position to another position of adisplay unit is sensed. The control unit is configured to change powerlevels of all of the coils in operation to the predetermined standardlevel if the drag touch signal is sensed.

The user interface, if another drag touch signal is sensed after sensingthe drag touch signal, displays the power levels of all of the coils inoperation to individual power levels that are provided before the powerlevels of all of the coils in operation are changed. The control unit,if the user interface senses the other drag touch signal after sensingthe drag touch signal, changes the power levels of all of the coils inoperation to the individual power levels provided before the powerlevels of all of the coils in operation are changed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, aninduction heating cooker includes a user interface and a control unit.Upon a continuous sensing of a touch signal for at least one of coilstate display units displayed on a display unit for a predetermined timeor above, the user interface allows the display unit to display a powercontrol bar at one side of the at least one coil state display unit, thepower control bar configured to adjust a power level of a coilcorresponding to the at least one coil state display unit. The controlunit, if the user interface senses a touch signal for the power controlbar, is configured to supply a relevant coil with a power correspondingto a power level that is represented by the touch signal sensed by theuser interface.

According to the user interface according to aspects of the presentdisclosure, a user can control the heating effect of all coils through asingle drag touch on a main screen, so that a user can rapidly convertthe heating cooker to a safe state from a cooking process in a case whena user is to be occupied with another business.

In addition, the power of a desired coil is controlled without shiftingover screens from a main screen, thereby rapidly controlling the cookingprocess. Without having to enlarge the display unit, a plurality ofcoils is simultaneously controlled on a single screen, so that themanufacturing cost is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the external appearance of an inductionheating cooker provided with a user interface according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a main screen and a control screen of theuser interface according to an embodiment of the preset disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating the induction heatingcooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a standby screen provided after a power levelis set and a control screen on which a cooking time is to be setaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a standby screen shown after the settings of thepower level and the cooking time are completed according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a screen, after one coil starts a cookingprocess, configured to set the power level and the cooking time ofanother coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a main screen of the user interface on which thepower levels of all coils are controlled according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screen on which the power level is recovered from areference power level to an original power level according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a screen to control the cooking time of allcoils in operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a main screen on which the coils are individuallycontrolled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a main screen on which the coils are individuallycontrolled according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a control screen displayed by a userinterface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a power level setting control screen displayed by auser interface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a cooking guide screen displayed by a userinterface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a screen on which a user modifies a part ofan automatic cooking process, which is performed based on the cookingguide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cooking guide screen showing a modified cookingguide according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a screen at which a modified cooking guideis stored and displayed according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate operations corresponding to functions thatare provided on a lower end of a control screen according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates an error alert window of alerting various errors onthe induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a main screen provided when the induction heatingcooker recognizes a cooking vessel by itself according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 21A to 21C illustrate a screen which performs option functions ofan induction heating cooker, including a lock function, an alarmfunction, and an setting function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forsimultaneously controlling the power levels of coils in operationaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forindividually controlling the power levels of coils on a main screenaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forproviding a cooking guide according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

Hereinafter, a user interface of an induction heating cooker accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure and a control method thereofwill be described with reference to accompanied drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the external appearance of an inductionheating cooker provided with a user interface according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cooking plate 2 is installed on an upper side ofa body 1 of the induction heating cooker such that a vessel is placed onthe cooking plate 2.

A plurality of heating coils are installed at a lower side of thecooking plate 2 inside the body 1 to provide the cooking plate 2 with aheating source. The heating coils are densely disposed on the entiresurface of the cooking plate 2. As an example, the description will bemade in relation to the induction heating cooker having four heatingcoils (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘coil’) including a first coil 11,a second coil 12, a third coil 13, and a fourth coil 14.

In addition, a control unit 30 is provided at a lower side of thecooking plate 2 to driving the coils. The control unit 30 is dividedinto a coil control unit and a user interface unit, in which the userinterface unit is configured to control a power supply for the coils byreceiving a manipulation signal that is sensed through a touch by auser. In addition, information displayed or output on a user interface100 is also controlled by the control unit 30.

The body 1 is provided at an upper side thereof with the user interface100. The user interface 100 includes a touch panel that is configured toreceive a command to drive coils from a user and to display informationrelated to an operation of the induction heating cooker 1. In general,the user interface 100 is provided with an input unit and a displayunit, thereby simultaneously serving as the input unit and the displayunit. That is, a user learns a current operation state of the inductionheating cooker through various types of information displayed on thetouch panel. In addition, a user makes contact with the touch panel,thereby allowing the control unit 30 to output a manipulation signalcorresponding to the user's contact with the touch panel. Accordingly,the term of the touch panel is used to denote the user interface.

In addition, receiving a manipulation signal input by a user includessensing a touch signal for a display unit, so the user interface 100 maybe divided into a display unit and a sensor unit.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a main screen and a control screen of theuser interface according to an embodiment of the preset disclosure.

As the induction heating coil 1 or the user interface 100 is turned onaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a main screen isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 2A. The main screen is provided with coilstate display units including a first coil state display unit 111, asecond coil state display unit 112, a third coil state display unit 113,and a fourth coil state display unit 114 representing positions andoperation states of each coil. In addition, the main screen may beprovided at a lower end with buttons for optional functions such as alock, an alarm, and a setting. The buttons will be described later indetail.

The main screen includes the first coil state display unit 111, thesecond coil state display unit 112, the third coil state display unit113, and the fourth coil state display unit 114 each corresponding to arespective coil. When the touch panel is assumed to match a cookingplate, each of the coil state display units 111, 112, 113, and 114 isdisplayed on the main screen at a region corresponding to the positionof a respective coil on the cooking plate. If none of the four coils arebeing used, power signs are displayed on the coil state display units111, 112, 113, and 114, thereby notifying that none of the four coilsare being used. The method of notifying the state of power is notlimited thereto. Alternatively, when none of the four coils are beingused, the coil state display units 111, 112, 113, and 114 may beconfigured such that none are displayed. If a touch signal for one ofthe coil state display units 111, 112, 113, and 114 is input by a user,a control screen corresponding to the relevant coil is displayed.

FIG. 2B illustrates a control screen of a user interface according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

If a user touches the second coil state display unit 112 thatcorresponds to a second coil 12 on the main screen, a control screen forthe second coil 12 is displayed. A default screen of the control screenincludes a power setting unit 121 that is configured to display andchange the power of a coil. The induction heating cooker according to anembodiment is equipped with a maximum power level (P level) in additionto default power levels ranging from 0 to 15, for example.

If a user performs a drag touch on the power setting unit 121 to theleft direction, the power level is increased from an initial power levelof “0” in steps. The drag touch represents a motion of a finger beingmoved in one direction while the finger is placed on the touch panel.

The selecting of a desired power level may be implemented throughvarious schemes. For example, the selecting of a desired power level maybe achieved by removing the finger from the touch panel or bydouble-touching the touch panel when a desired power level is displayedwhile the finger is placed on the drag touch. According to anembodiment, the selecting of a desired power level is achieved bytouching a setting button 122 when a desired power level is displayedwhile the finger is placed on the drag touch.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating the induction heatingcooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referringto FIG. 3, the induction heating cooker according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure includes a coil unit 10, the user interface 100,the control unit 30, and an inverter unit 20. The coil unit 10 includesa plurality of coils that are configured to emit heat to heat a cookingvessel or a vessel for heating placed on the cooking plate. The userinterface 100 is configured to display the state of the inductionheating cooker to a user and to receive a touch signal for an operationof the induction heating cooker from the user. The control unit 30 isconfigured to control the user interface 100, and to receive amanipulation signal or a touch signal from the user interface 100 sothat inverters are controlled. The inverter unit 20 includes a pluralityof inverters 21, 22, 23 and 24 that are configured to supply a pluralityof coils with a radio frequency power.

When referring to the above description of power setting shown in FIG.2, if a user touches a setting button 122 to set a desired power levelon the power setting unit 121 for the second coil 12, a manipulationsignal corresponding to the touch operation is transmitted to thecontrol unit 30 and the control unit 30 allows the second inverter 22 toconvert a direct current power to an alternating current power so thatthe second coil 12 receives a radio frequency current corresponding tothe power level that is set by the user. At the same time, the controlunit 30 controls the user interface 100 such that the control screen ischanged to a standby screen.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a standby screen provided after a power levelis set and a control screen on which a cooking time is to be setaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the power levelis set as the user touches the setting button 122, the control screenshown in FIG. 2B designed to set the power level is shifted to a standbyscreen shown on the left side of FIG. 4A. The standby screen includesthe second coil state display unit 112, which shows a state indicating apower level and a cooking time for the corresponding coil. At this time,the setting of the power level is completed, and thus the value of thepower level is displayed on one region of the second coil state displayunit 112. In addition, anther region of the coil state display unit 112displays a predetermined icon, for example, a shape of a watch, used inmoving onto a control screen on which a cooking time is set.

Since a user may not set the cooking time, if the user does not desireto set the cooking time, the user touches a setting button 132 displayedat one side of the coil state display unit 112 during the standby screenso that the touch panel displays a main screen shown on the right sideof FIG. 4A. The main screen completed with all setting will be describedlater.

If the user touches an icon, for example, a watch icon shown in FIG. 4A,used to set the cooking time, the touch panel displays a cooking timesetting screen that is shown in FIG. 4B. The cooking time setting screendisplays a cooking time setting unit 141 in which the cooking time isdisplayed by a unit of minutes and a unit of seconds. If a partcorresponding to minutes is drag-touched up and down, the unit ofminutes is adjusted. If a part corresponding to seconds is drag-touchedup and down, the unit of seconds is adjusted. The setting of the cookingtime may be achieved in various schemes. According to an embodiment, asetting button 142 is displayed at one side of the cooking time settingunit 141. If the user touches the setting button 142 when the cookingtime setting screen is adjusted to display a desired time through a dragtouch by a user, the coil is set to be heated during the desired time.

FIG. 5 illustrates a standby screen shown after the setting of the powerlevel and the cooking time are completed according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. If a user finishes setting the cooing time, thetouch panel displays a standby screen shown on the left side of FIG. 5.The standby screen includes the coil state display unit 112, whichindicates the power level and the cooking time that are currently setfor the corresponding coil. The setting button 132 is provided at oneside of the coil state display unit 112. If a user touches the settingbutton 132, the setting of the power level and the cooking timeindicated on the coil state display unit 112 is confirmed, and a signalrelated to the setting is transmitted to the control unit 30, so thatthe corresponding coil is heated during the set cooking time at the setpower level. Alternatively, even if the setting button 132 is nottouched, if a touch signal is not input during a predetermined period oftime while the standby screen is being displayed, it is determined tostart a cooking based the cooking time and the power level that areindicated on the coil state display unit. If the setting button 132 istouched, a main screen is displayed as shown on the right side of FIG.5, in which the main screen indicates the power level and the cookingtime that are completed with setting.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a screen, after one coil starts a cookingprocess, configured to set the power level and the cooking time ofanother coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, after the power level and the cooking time for the secondcoil 12 are completed, when the second coil 12 starts heating, the userinterface 100 displays a main screen shown on the left side of FIG. 6A.The main screen includes the first coil state display unit 111, thesecond coil state display unit 112, the third coil state display unit113, and the fourth coil state display unit 114. The second coil statedisplay unit 112 indicates the power level (8) and the cooking time (7minutes and 30 seconds) for the second coil 12 as set above.

The remaining coil state display units 111, 113, and 114 indicate thesame sign as those in the initial state, that is, the power sign. Atthis time, if the user touches the third coil state display unit 113 touse the third coil 13, a screen shift is made to a control screen forthe third coil 13. Similar to the method of setting the power level andthe cooking time for the second coil 12 as shown before, the user setsthe power level and the cooking time. After the setting of the powerlevel and the cooking time for the third coil 13 are completed, if acooking starts for the third coil 13, the user interface 100 displaysthe main screen again.

FIG. 6B illustrates the main screen of the induction heating cook inwhich the second coil 12 and the third coil 13 are in operation. Thesecond coil state display unit 112 indicates the power level (8) and thecooking time (7 minutes and 30 seconds) as shown in FIG. 6B, and thethird coil state display unit 113 indicates the power level (15) and thecooking time (5 minutes and 30 seconds) that are set for the third coil13. Since the first coil 11 and the fourth coil 14 have not been subjectto a certain setting, the first coil state display unit 111 and thefourth coil state display unit 114 indicate the same sign as those inthe initial state, that is, the power sign. The touch panel shown inFIG. 6B informs the user that the second coil 12 is being heated for 7minutes and 30 seconds at the power level (8) and the third coil 13 isbeing heated for 5 minutes and 30 seconds at the power level (15). Inaddition, the coil state display unit may reduce the cooking time astime elapses after the start of cooking, thereby displaying theremaining time left before cooking is completed.

Hereinafter, a user interface capable of effectively controlling thepower level or the cooking time of each coil during a cooking will bedescribed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a main screen of the user interface on which thepower levels of all coils are controlled according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

A user may be in a situation to temporarily stop cooking for a shortperiod of time, as a user encounters with another task to conduct whileusing an induction heating cooker. For example, in a state that a useris cooking while having cooking vessels placed on the first coil 11 andthe third coil 13, the user may be expected to receive a phone call andleave in a hurry.

At this time, the user interface 100 according to an embodiment of thepreset disclosure allows the user to drag-touch a main screen shown inFIG. 7 so that the power levels of the first coil 11 and the third coil13 are simultaneously adjusted. For example, if a user performs a dragtouch from the right end to the left end of the touch panel in a mainscreen showing the state of all of the coils, the control unit 30, whichreceives a touch signal corresponding to the drag touch controls theinverter unit 20 such that the power levels of the first coil 11 and thethird coil 13 in operation are changed to a predetermined standard powerlevel.

The predetermined standard power level may represent a power level thatdoes not cause an accident even if the state of the induction heatingcooker is not checked during a predetermined period of time, or thepower level capable of keeping enough of the heat of the coil to resumethe cooking without the need for a maximum power level. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the standard power level is set aslevel 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, if the user performs a drag touch from the right endto the left end of the touch panel or the display unit, the power levelsof the first coil state display 111 and the third coil state displayunit 113 are changed to level 1. The control unit 30 supplies the firstcoil 11 and the third coil 13 with a power corresponding to level of 1.

In a case that the cooking time of the coil is set, if the power levelis changed to the standard level, a cooking is not regarded to normallyproceed. Accordingly, the cooking time is held to the time when the dragtouch is performed, to prevent the remaining time left from decreasing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screen on which the power level is recovered from apredetermined reference power level to an original power level accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, in order to recover the power level, a userreceives a signal corresponding to an overall drag touch on the mainscreen. For example, if a drag touch is performed from the left end tothe right end opposite to FIG. 7, the first coil display unit 111indicates the original power level (15), and the third coil display unit113 indicates the original power level (8) and the cooking time. Thecontrol unit 30 controls the first inverter 21 and the third inverter 23such that a power corresponding to the power level (15) is supplied tothe first coil 11, and a power corresponding to the power level (8) issupplied to the third coil 13. It should be noted that the drag touchdoes not change the non-operational state of a coil and the coil statedisplay unit corresponding to the coil. A coil in operation isdetermined depending on whether the power level is set to exceed 0.

The drag touch operations described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 areprovided as an example. For example, when it is assumed that a dragtouch to change the power to the standard level is referred to a firstdrag touch, and a drag touch to recover the original power level isreferred to a second drag touch, the first drag touch may be made fromthe left side to the right side, and the second drag touch may be madefrom the right side to the left side. For example, the first drag touchmay be made in the same direction as that of the second drag touch. Forexample, the first drag touch and the second drag touch may be made in atraverse direction and in a longitudinal direction of the touch panel,respectively. The control unit 30 identifies the first drag touch fromthe second drag touch based on the sequence of drag touch signals beinginput.

Although the recognition is achieved through a drag touch from one endto the other end of the touch panel according to the previousembodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and therecognition may be achieved through a minimum length of drag touchenabling the control to recognize a drag touch. For example, therecognition of the first drag touch or the second drag touch may beachieved through a drag touch from one position to another position thathas half the total length of the touch panel.

Although the drag touch is sensed when the touch panel displays the mainscreen according to the previous embodiment, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. For example, even if a different screen isdisplayed other than the main screen, if a drag touch on the entirescreen surface of the touch panel is sensed, the power levels of all ofthe coils may be adjusted.

Although the power levels of all of the coils in operation arecontrolled through the drag touch, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. For example, the cooking time of all of the coils may becontrolled through the drag touch, which is described later withreference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a screen to control the cooking time of allcoils in operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9A, when each of the first coil 11 and the fourth coil14 is heated at the power level of 8 and has the remaining time of fiveminutes, if a drag touch, hereinafter referred to as a third drag touch,is performed by a user from the upper side to the lower side of thetouch panel on a main screen, the remaining time of the first coil 11and the fourth coil 14 may be changed to a predetermined standardcooking time. For example, in a case that the standard cooking time isset to one minute, if the third drag touch is input, the control unit 30changes the remaining cooking time of each of the first coil statedisplay unit and the fourth coil state display unit to one minute, andcontrols the first inverter and the fourth inverter 24 such that a powersupply to the first and fourth coils 14 are stopped after a lapse of oneminute.

Referring to FIG. 9B, if a fourth drag touch from the lower side to theupper side of the touch panel is sensed, the control unit recovers theremaining cooking time of the first and the fourth coil state displayunits 111 and 114 to the cooking time that is provided before the thirddrag touch is input.

According to an embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, allof the coils are controlled at once, thereby ensuring a rapid andefficient operation. The following embodiment will be made in relationto a user interface that is configured to individually control all ofthe coils without shifting over screen from a main screen.

FIG. 10 illustrates an operation of a user interface to separatelycontrol each coil on a main screen according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a state that a main screen displays from thefirst coil state display unit 111 to the fourth coil state display unit114, if a user presses at least one of the coil state display units 111to 114 for longer than a predetermined period of time, a power controlbar 151 is displayed at one side of the at least one coil state displayunit. The power control bar 151 may have a sliding object to help theuser to adjust the power level.

For example, if a user presses the first coil state display unit 11 forlonger than two seconds, the power control unit 151 is displayed at theright side of the first coil state display unit 111. To more accuratelyadjust the power level, the power control bar 151 may be provided in alongitudinal direction. If the user performs a drag touch to the upperside on the power control bar 151, the power level indicated on thefirst coil state display unit 111 becomes higher. If the user performs adrag touch to the lower side on the power control bar 151, the powerlevel indicated on the first coil state display unit 111 becomes lower.When a desired power level is indicated on the first coil state displayunit 111, the user detaches the finger from the first coil state displayunit 111. As a result, a power level indicated when the finger of theuser is detached is set, and the control unit 30 controls the firstinverter 21, such that a power corresponding to the power level newlyset for the first coil 11 is supplied to the first coil 11.

The configuration of the power control bar is not limited thereto.According to another embodiment, the power control bar may be providedat an upper portion or a lower portion of the coil state display unit ina traverse direction.

FIG. 11 illustrates an operation of a user interface to separatelycontrol each coil on a main screen according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a state that a main screen displays the coilstate display units 111 to 114 for the respective coils, if a userpresses one of the coil state display units 111 to 114 for longer than apredetermined duration of time, a cooking time control bar 152 isdisplayed at the right side of the corresponding coil state display unitin a longitudinal direction, and the power control bar 151 is displayedat the lower side of the corresponding coil state display unit in atraverse direction. The cooking time control bar 152 and the powercontrol bar 151 may have a sliding object to help the user to adjust thecooking time and the power level.

In detail, if a user presses the third coil state display unit 113 forlonger than two seconds, the cooking time control bar 152 and the powercontrol unit 151 are displayed. If the user performs a drag touch to theright side on the power control bar 151, the power level indicated onthe third coil state display unit 113 becomes higher. If the userperforms a drag touch to the left side on the power control bar 151 (forexample, moving the sliding object to the left), the power levelindicated on the third coil state display unit 113 becomes lower. When adesired power level is indicated on the third coil state display unit113, the user detaches the finger from the third coil state display unit113. As a result, a power level indicated when the finger of the user isdetached is set, and the control unit 30 controls the third inverter 23,such that a power corresponding to the power level newly set for thethird coil 13 is supplied to the third coil 13.

If a user performs a drag touch to the upper side on the cooking timecontrol bar 152 (for example, moving the sliding object upward), thecooking time indicated on the third coil state display unit 113 becomeshigher. If the user performs a drag touch to the lower side on thecooking time control bar 152 (for example, moving the sliding objectdownward), the cooking time indicated on the third coil state displayunit 113 becomes lower. When a desired cooking time is indicated on thethird coil state display unit 113, the user detaches the finger from thethird coil state display unit 113. As a result, the cooking timeindicated when the finger of the user is detached is set, as a newcooking time and the control unit 30 controls the third inverter 23,such that a power is supplied to the third coil 13 during the time newlyset.

The configuration or the control of the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. According to another embodiment, the cooking timecontrol bar 152 and the power control bar 151 may be switched inposition, or the direction of drag touch may provide a different controlon the cooking time control bar 152 and the power control bar 151. Thecooking time control bar 152 and the power control bar 151 may beprovided in variety of shapes.

Hereinafter, other operations performed by a user interface according toan embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a control screen displayed by a userinterface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

If a user touches a coil state display unit on the main screen, the userinterface displays a control screen for a coil corresponding to the coilstate display unit touched. In this case, the control screen may displaya coil map 123 that represents the position of the coil relative toother coils. The coil map 123 is provided to indicate the relativeposition of each coil when viewed from above the induction heatingcooker 1, so that the user may determine where the coil, that is, anobject for current control exists by looking at the coil map 123.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 12A, if a user touches the third coildisplay unit 133 on the main screen, a control screen for the third coil13 is displayed. In a case that the third coil 13 is in anon-operational state, which the power level and the cooking time of thethird coil 13 are not set, a control screen shown in FIG. 12A isdisplayed to set the power level. In a case that the power level and thecooking time of the third coil 13 are set, a control screen shown inFIG. 12B is displayed.

Regardless of which control screen is displayed, the displayed screendisplays the coil map 123, which indicates the position of the thirdcoil 13 relative to other coils. The description of the coil map 123shown FIGS. 12A and 12B is provided as an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For example, the coil map 123 may be disposed at a rightside or at a lower end of the control screen. For example, the controlmap 123 may indicate only the position of a desired coil. For example,the control map 123 may indicate the positions of all of the coils, suchthat an object coil for control is distinguished from other coils usinga color or an icon. For example, the control map 123 may display a coilstate display unit having no indication at a position corresponding toan object coil for control while displaying coil state display unitsshowing relevant information at the positions of the respective coils.

FIG. 13 illustrates a power level setting control screen displayed by auser interface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, a power level guide unit 124 is displayed at oneside of the power setting unit 121. The power level guide unit 124displays a type of cooking suitable for the power level ranging from 1to P. For example, if the power level positioned at the center of thepower setting unit 121 is indicated as “8” through a drag touch in atraverse direction, the power level guide unit 124 indicates “frying”,which informs that the power level of “8” is suitable for frying. Thecontrol unit 30, which includes various types of cooking that are suitedto each power level in the form of a database, displays a type ofcooking corresponding to a predetermined power level at one side of thecontrol screen used to set the power level, thereby enabling a user toselect a power level suitable for a desired type of cooking.

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a cooking guide screen displayed by a userinterface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14A, a user interface according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure may display icons related to automatic cooking ata lower end of a control screen. The icons may include a cooking guideicon 126, a thermo icon 127, a water heating icon 128. The descriptionsof the icons, such as the shape and the color, shown in FIG. 14A areprovided only as an embodiment, and the present disclosure is notlimited hereto.

If a user touches the cooking guide icon 126, the user interfacedisplays a cooking guide screen. A default screen of the cooking guidescreen indicates a list of dishes allowing an automatic cooking. If auser touches a desired dish on the list, the user interface displays acooking guide window at one side of the selected dish, the cooking guidewindow showing the ingredients and a cooking process for the dish.

As shown in FIG. 14B, a cooking guide window 161 shows the ingredientsof a predetermined dish, the power level and the cooking time for thepower level, and the total cooking time along with a setting button. Thecooking guide window 161 may display multiple stages including the powerlevel and the cooking time for the selected dish. For example, FIG. 14Bshows three stages where each stage shows different power levels and thecooking time. If a user touches the setting button, the dish isselected, and the user interface displays a cooking standby screen. FIG.14C illustrates the cooking standby screen. Similar to a general controlscreen, a coil map and a coil state display unit are shown at the leftupper end and at the center of the cooking standby screen, respectively.The coil state display unit displays an initial power level and a totalcooking time for an automatic cooking process. Different from a generalcontrol screen, a title of a cooking guide list of dishes is indicatedat a left side of the coil state display unit. A setting button 162 isindicated at a right side of the coil state display unit. If a usertouches the setting button 162, an automatic cooking process startsaccording to the cooking guide. At this time, the user interfacedisplays the main screen again, the coil state display unit 111 of whichdisplays the current power level of the coil and the remaining cookingtime.

If the automatic cooking is completed according to the cooking guide, atext indicating the ending of the automatic cooking is displayed on thecoil state display unit, and the user interface may allow the coil statedisplay unit to flicker or set an alarm sound.

When using such a cooking guide function, the user may desire to modifythe cooking process according to the tendency of a user. FIGS. 15A and15B illustrate a screen on which a user modifies a part of an automaticcooking process, which is performed based on the cooking guide,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15A, in a state that the cooking guide window 161 isdisplayed, if a user desires to modify a first stage of heating for theselected dish, which is set for one and half second at the maximum powerlevel (“P”), the user touches a region of the cooking guide window 161where the first stage is displayed, and desired to be modified, so thata modification window 163 is displayed. A main screen of themodification window 163 may include a power level display whichindicates the power level of the cooking process, a cooking time displayunit which indicates the cooking time for the cooking process, and asetting button 164 to finish the setting of the power level and thecooking time.

If a user touches the power level display unit, a power setting screenis displayed on the modification window 163. At this time, the userselects a desired power level by performing a drag touch in a traversedirection of the power setting screen. If the desired power level isshown at the center of the power setting screen while on the drag touch,the user stops the drag touch and touches the setting button 164,thereby selecting the desired power level. As the setting of the powerlevel is completed, the user interface displays the main screen of themodification window 163 again, the power level display unit of whichdisplays the power level modified by the user.

FIG. 15B shows an operation of modifying the cooking time. If a usertouches the cooking time display unit on the main screen of themodification window 163, a cooking time setting screen is displayed onthe modification window 163. At this time, the user performs a dragtouch in a longitudinal direction of the cooking time setting screen andtouches a desired cooking time, which is displayed while on the dragtouch, thereby modifying the cooking time. The user interface displaysthe main screen, which shows the power level display unit and thecooking time display unit, on the modification window 163, in which thecooking time display unit shows the modified cooking time. The mainscreen of the modification window 163 displays the setting button 164,and the user touches the setting button 164. As a result, the cookingguide is modified according to the power level and the cooking time thatare indicated on the power level display unit and the cooking timedisplay unit, respectively.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cooking guide screen showing a modified cookingguide that according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As theuser touches the setting button 164 shown on the right side of FIG. 15Bto complete the modification of the cooking guide, the user interfaceremoves the modification window 163 and displays the screen that isprovided just before the modification window 163 is displayed. That is,the user interface displays the cooking guide window 161 at one side ofthe list of dishes. In this case, the cooking guide window 161 showsinformation about each cooking process, the information having beenmodified by the user.

FIG. 17A shows an operation of storing the modified cooking process. Ifa user touches a setting button displayed on the cooking guide window161, the user interface displays a store selection window 166 for theuser whether to store the modified cooking guide and that enables theuser to select. The store selection window 166 displays “YES” and “NO”buttons to choose whether to store the modified cooking guide. If theuser touches “NO” button, the user interface displays the cookingstandby screen.

If the user touches “YES” button, the user interface displays a memorycook selection window 168. If the user touches a desired memory cooknumber of the memory cook selection window 168 and touches a settingbutton 172, the user interface displays a window that shows a messageindicating the completion of storage. After a short period of time, forexample, one second or two seconds, the cooking standby screen isdisplayed.

FIG. 17B shows a cooking guide screen displaying the stored cookingguide. As the user touches the cooking guide icon 126, the userinterface displays the cooking guide screen in which the memory cookstored by the user is displayed on the list of dishes allowing theautomatic cooking. If the memory cook is touched, the cooking guidewindow 161 containing the modification made by the user, is displayed atone side of the memory cook. The names of dishes may be displayed on thecooking guide window 161. In addition, a cooking process may be modifiedin the memory cook besides the list of dishes. In addition, the storedmemory cook may be deleted.

Hereafter, functions of the thermo icon 127 and the water heating icon128 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the thermoicon 127 and the water heating icon 128 provided on a lower end of acontrol screen.

FIG. 18A shows an operation provided when a user touches the thermo icon127. If a user touches the thermo icon 127 on the control screen, acooking standby screen is displayed, such that a coil state display unitincluded in the cooking standby screen shows the thermo icon 127 inaddition to the power level and the cooking time, and a phraseindicating a thermo state is shown at one side of the coil state displayunit. If a user touches a setting button 122 displayed the other side ofthe coil state display unit, the control unit adjusts the power suppliedto the corresponding coil, such that a vessel placed on thecorresponding coil is kept in the thermo state. For example, a constantpower may be supplied to maintain the power level “3.”

FIG. 18B shows an operation provided when a user touches the waterheating icon 128. If a user touches the water heating icon 128, adifferent screen is displayed depending on whether the power level ofthe corresponding coil has been set. In a case that the power level ofthe corresponding coil is set and the set power level is displayed onthe coil state display unit, if the user touches the water heating icon128 provided at the lower end of the control screen, a water heatingicon is shown on the coil state display unit. At this time, if the usertouches the setting icon 122 provided at one side of the screen or apredetermined time elapses without input, the water heating operation isperformed. If the power level of the corresponding coil has not been setbefore the water heating icon 128 is touched, a window inducing thesetting of the power level is displayed. At this time, if the usertouches a setting button shown on the window, a power setting screen isdisplayed, such that a user sets the power level.

FIG. 19 illustrates an error alert window of alerting various errors onan induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 19, the user interface 100 determines thatan error occurs in the induction heating cooker if the temperature ofthe vessel on the coil exceeds a predetermined temperate or the touchpanel is subject to a touch for longer than a predetermined period oftime, and displays an alert window about the error such that a user isaware of the error.

According to the above embodiments, a user selects a desired coil andcontrols the selected coil. As a result, the coil is heated regardlessof whether a vessel is placed on the coil.

In order for the induction heating cooker 1 to automatically recognizethe vessel placed on the coil, the induction heating cooker 1 furtherincludes a vessel sensor unit. The vessel sensor unit is provided in apredetermined number corresponding to the number of the coils. Thevessel sensor unit detects a heating coil, on which a vessel is placed,by use of various types of sensors including a current transformersensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a pressure sensor, and aninfrared sensor. When the vessel sensor unit is implemented using acurrent transformer sensor, a heating coil, on which a vessel is placed,is detected based on the value of current flowing through each heatingcoil measured through the current transformer sensor. According to thisembodiment, a technique of sensing a heating coil is achieved by use ofa sensor, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 20 illustrates a main screen provided when the induction heatingcooker automatically recognizes a cooking vessel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 20, a main screen of the user interface of theinduction heating cooker capable of recognizing a vessel is configuredto indicate only a coil state display unit for a coil having a vesselplaced thereon. According to an embodiment, a vessel is placed on thefirst coil 11 and the current sensor detects the vessel. As a result,the first coil state display unit 111 is displayed at an area of themain screen, the area corresponding to the position of the first coil11. Since the remaining coil state display units corresponding to thecoils on which a vessel is not placed are not displayed, a useridentifies which coil is in operation.

When considered the operation of controlling the power level on the mainscreen, a user presses the first coil display unit 111 for longer than apredetermined period of time, the power control bar 151 is displayed atone side of the first coil state display unit 111. At this time, theuser performs a drag touch in a longitudinal direction on the powercontrol bar 151, thereby setting a desired power level. Except for theremaining coil state display units that are not displayed on the mainscreen, the operation of the user interface according to this embodimentis same as the operation in the case when the induction heating cookerdoes not have the ability to recognize a vessel by itself. Even if acoil is recognized as having a vessel placed thereon, if the power levelof the coil does not exceed 0, the coil is considered in anon-operational state. Accordingly, when the above embodiment ofcontrolling all of the coils in operation by performing a drag touchacross the entire surface of the screen is implemented, the coilrecognized as having a vessel but considered in a non-operational stateis not changed by the drag touch.

In addition, similar to the above described embodiments, a coil statedisplay unit for a coil, on which a vessel is not placed, may bedisplayed on the main screen in the induction heating cooker capable ofrecognizing a vessel automatically.

FIGS. 21A to 21C illustrate a screen which performs optional functionsof an induction heating cooker, including a lock function, an alarmfunction, and an setting function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 21A, a lock function icon 115 for a lock function, analarm function icon 116 for an alarm function, and a setting functionicon 117 are displayed at a lower end of the main screen. If a usertouches the lock function icon 115, the user interface displays a lockwindow at the center of the main screen. If an icon in the form of alock is displayed on the lock window, a user is easily recognized thatthe induction heating cooker is currently locked.

If the user presses the icon displayed on the lock window for longerthan a predetermined period of time, the icon on the lock window ischanged in the form of a lock opened indicating that the inductionheating cooker is unlocked. After the predetermined period of time, thelock window disappears and the main screen appears again.

Referring to FIG. 21B, if a user touches the alarm function icon 116 onthe main screen, an alarm setting screen is displayed. The alarm may beset similar to the method of setting the cooking time. After the settingof an alarm is completed, the main screen is displayed again in which agauge bar is displayed at a lower end of the main screen to indicate thetime remaining until the alarm is due. In order to cancel or change thealarm function in execution of the alarm function, the alarm functionicon 116 is touched again, such that the alarm setting screen isdisplayed. A button to cancel the alarm function is provided at one sideof the alarm setting screen. If the user touches the button, the alarmfunction is canceled and the main screen resumes.

Referring to FIG. 21C, if a user touches the setting function icon 117on the main screen, a default setting screen is displayed. A list ofitems that may be set or changed by a user is provided on the defaultsetting screen. For example, the default setting screen may displayitems such as brightness, sound level, power level guide, and language.Options for each item, that is, brightness from 1 to 5, sound levelsfrom 1 to 3 and sound off, and power level guide function ON/OFF may beprovided at one side of the name of each item. Accordingly, a usertouches the options by one to change the setting of the items. Also,options for language may be displayed at one side of the item oflanguage. However, if the item of language has a great variety ofselections, a shift to a language setting screen is made as shown inFIG. 21C.

Although not shown in drawings, the induction heating cooker accordingto an embodiment is capable of controlling a plurality of coils in anintegrated manner as a single coil. In detail, coil state display unitscorresponding to some coils, which are desired by a user for integratedcontrol, are drag-touched by user in a longitudinal direction or atraverse direction, so that the coils are regarded as a single coil forcontrol.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a user interface according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference tothe accompanying flowcharts.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forsimultaneously controlling the power levels of coils in operationaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG.22, a main screen for a touch panel is displayed (310). The main screenincludes coil state display units each representing a respective stateof a plurality of coils forming the induction heating cooker. The mainscreen is displayed on the touch panel if no input has been input to auser interface during a cooking process.

It is determined whether a first drag touch is sensed on the touch panel(320). The drag touch represents an operation in which a user touchesone position of the touch panel and drags to another position whilemaintaining the touch. That is, the drag touch represents a dragmovement of a finger, while maintaining a touch state, from one positionto another position of the touch panel. A designer may designate thedistance between one position and the other position at the first dragtouch. The distance may be the traverse length of the touch panel, orhalf the traverse length of the touch panel. In addition, the first dragtouch represents a drag touch that is sensed at first in a state thatthe main screen is displayed on the touch panel.

If it is determined, in operation 320, that the first drag touch issensed, a coil state display unit for a coil in operation among the coilstate display units included in the main screen displays a predeterminedstandard level as power level (330). According to this embodiment, thestandard level may be set to the minimum level. A control unit controlsan inverter, such that the coil in operation is supplied with a powercorresponding to the standard level. The predetermined standard levelmay previously be designated by a designer or a user at a level ensuringa safety in the absence of a user.

Thereafter, it is determined whether a second drag touch is sensed(340). The second drag touch represents a drag touch sensed after thefirst drag touch is sensed. The second drag touch may be performed inthe same direction as or a different direction from the first dragtouch.

If it is determined, in operation 340, that the second drag touch issensed, the coil state display unit, the power level of which is changedto the standard level, returns the original power level. That is, thecoil state display unit displays the power level provided when the firstdrag touch is sensed (350).

As described above, the first drag touch and the second drag touch aredistinguished from each other based on the sequence of touch sensed.Alternatively, the first drag touch may be identified as a drag touchhaving a direction from the right side to the left side. Alternatively,the first drag touch may represent the sooner sensed drag touch, and thesecond drag touch may be identified as a drag touch having a differentdirection from that of the first drag touch. However, the method ofdistinguishing the first drag touch from the second drag touch is notlimited thereto. For example, a user may use two fingers to perform thedrag touch to achieve same result as shown above.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forindividually controlling the power levels of coils on a main screenaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, a main screen is displayed on a touch panel (410). Details of themain screen are the same as that described with reference to FIG. 21.Thereafter, it is determined whether a touch having longer than apredetermined time is sensed on at least one of the coil state displayunits included in the main screen. The touch represents a state of beingpushed for longer than the predetermined time.

If the touch is sensed for longer than the predetermined time inoperation 420, a power control bar is displayed at one side of the coilstate display unit (430). A user may control the power level of the coilby performing a drag touch in a longitudinal direction or a traversedirection. If the power control bar is displayed in a longitudinaldirection, a user performs a drag touch either upward or downwarddirection. If the power control bar is displayed in a traversedirection, a user performs a left and right drag touch.

If a drag touch on the power control bar by a user is sensed, a powerlevel corresponding to the sensed drag touch is displayed on the coilstate display unit (450). In this manner, the user selects a desiredpower level by drag-touching the power control bar.

If the drag touch sensed disappears (460), that is, the user detachesthe finger from the touch panel, the power level provided at the momentwhen the finger is detached is set as the power level for the coil andthe power level is displayed (470). The control unit supplies the coilwith a power corresponding to the power level.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control method of a user interface forproviding a cooking guide according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

When it is assumed that a user has touched a cooking guide icon on acontrol screen on a certain coil, a default screen having a list ofdishes allowing a cooking guide is displayed (510). The name of eachdish allowing the cooking guide may be designated by a user in advanceor may be further set or changed by a user.

If a touch signal by a user on a certain dish of the item is sensed(520), a cooking guide window on the certain dish is displayed (530).The cooking guide window displays ingredients or a cooking process forthe certain dish. A user looks the contents displayed on the cookingguide window and touches a setting button displayed at one region of thecooking guide window, thereby selecting a desired dish.

If a touch signal for the setting button is input by the user (540), acooking standby screen is displayed (550). The cooking standby screendisplays the initial power level, the total cooking time and the desiredmenu. In addition, a setting button is displayed at one region of thecooking standby screen. If a touch signal for the setting button by theuser is input (560), the main screen is displayed and a cookingoperation is started according to the cooking guide (570).

The cooking process of the cooking guide may be modified as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. The cooking operation may beperformed according to the modified cooking process, and the modifiedcooking process may be stored in the memory cook.

The accompanying drawings and the detailed descriptions have beenprovided as embodiments of the present disclosure, and the presentdisclosure is not limited to the drawings and descriptions. Inparticular, the user interface shown in the drawings has been providedas embodiments that can be applied to the present disclosure, and thusis not limited to the configuration and the external appearance shown inthe drawings as long as performing the above described operation.

As described above, the user interface according to the presentdisclosure and the control method of thereof can adjust the power levelsof all of the coils in operation without shifting over screen from themain screen, thereby enabling a rapid control and improving the safety.

In addition, since the power control bar or the cooking time control barfor each coil is displayed on the main screen, even if the touch panelis small, the power or the cooking time is controlled without shiftingto the control screen, thereby reducing cost and enhancing timeefficiency.

In addition, when a cooking guide function is provided, a cookingprocess is modified based on the tendency of a user, and the modifiedcooking process is stored. In addition, when the power for each coil isset, the type of cooking suitable for each power level is provided sothat the user can select a power level suited to a desired cooking. Inaddition, when a control screen for a predetermined coil is displayed, acoil map is displayed at one side of the control screen so that a usercan precisely recognize the position of a coil to be controlled, therebyimproving the convenience of the user.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedin the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user interface for an induction heating cookerhaving a plurality of heating coils, the user interface comprising: adisplay configured to display a plurality of coil state displays thatshow operation states of the plurality of heating coils, respectively;and a sensor configured to sense a touch signal that is input throughthe display, wherein when the sensor continuously senses the touchsignal corresponding to one of the plurality of coil state displayscorresponding to one of the plurality of heating coils for apredetermined time or more, the display displays a power control barextending in a first direction corresponding to the one of the pluralityof coil state displays and a time control bar extending in a seconddirection, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction,corresponding to the one of the plurality of coil state displays, thepower control bar is configured to adjust a power level of the one ofthe plurality of heating coils corresponding to the one of the pluralityof coil state displays and the time control bar is configured to adjusta cooking time of the one of the plurality of heating coils.
 2. The userinterface of claim 1, wherein when the sensor senses a drag touch in thefirst direction on the power control bar, the display displays a powerlevel for the one of the plurality of coil state displays whileincreasing the power level in steps, and when the sensor senses a dragtouch in an opposite direction of the first direction on the powercontrol bar, the display displays a power level for the one of theplurality of coil state displays while decreasing the power level insteps.
 3. The user interface of claim 2, wherein when the sensor sensesthat the drag touch with respect to the power control bar disappears,the display keeps displaying a power level that is provided at a timewhen the drag touch disappears.
 4. An induction heating cooker having aplurality of heating coils, comprising: a user interface of theinduction heating cooker, upon a continuous sensing of a touch signalfor one of a plurality of coil state displays corresponding to one ofthe plurality of heating coils displayed on a display for apredetermined time or more, configured to allow the display to display apower control bar extending in a first direction corresponding to theone of the coil state displays and a time control bar extending in asecond direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the firstdirection, corresponding to the one of the coil state displays, thepower control bar configured to adjust a power level of one of theplurality of heating coils corresponding to the one of the plurality ofcoil state displays and the time control bar configured to adjust anoperating time of the one of the plurality of heating coils; and acontroller, when the user interface senses a touch signal for the powercontrol bar, configured to supply the one of the plurality of heatingcoils with a power corresponding to a power level that is represented bythe touch signal sensed by the user interface.
 5. The user interface ofclaim 4, wherein when the sensor senses a drag touch in the firstdirection on the power control bar, the display displays a power levelon the one of the plurality of coil state displays while increasing thepower level in steps, and when the sensor senses a drag touch in anopposite direction of the first direction on the power control bar, thedisplay displays a power level on the one of the plurality of coil statedisplays while decreasing the power level in steps, and wherein when thesensor senses a drag touch in the second direction on the time controlbar, the display unit displays the cooking time on the one of theplurality of coil state displays while increasing the cooking time, andwhen the sensor senses a drag touch in an opposite direction of thesecond direction on the time control bar, the display displays thecooking time on the one of the plurality of coil state displays whiledecreasing the cooking time.
 6. The user interface of claim 5, whereinwhen the sensor senses that a drag touch on the power control bardisappears, the display keeps displaying a power level that is providedat a time when the drag touch disappears, and wherein when the sensorsenses that a drag touch on the time control bar disappears, the displaykeeps displaying the cooking time that is provided at a time when thedrag touch disappears.
 7. A user interface for an induction heatingcooker having a plurality of heating coils, the user interfacecomprising: a display configured to display a plurality of coil statedisplays that show operation states of the plurality of heating coils,respectively; and a sensor configured to sense a touch signal that isinput through the display, wherein when the sensor continuously sensesthe touch signal corresponding to one of the plurality of coil statedisplays corresponding to one of the plurality of heating coils for apredetermined time or more, a first control bar extending in a firstdirection corresponding to the one of the plurality of coil statedisplays and a second control bar extending in a second direction whichis substantially perpendicular to the first direction, corresponding tothe one of the plurality of coil state displays come into view.
 8. Auser interface for an induction heating cooker having a plurality ofheating coils, the user interface comprising: a display configured todisplay a plurality of coil state displays that show operation states ofthe plurality of heating coils, respectively; and a sensor configured tosense a touch signal that is input through the display, wherein when thesensor continuously senses the touch signal corresponding to one of theplurality of coil state displays corresponding to one of the pluralityof heating coils for a predetermined time or more, a power control barcorresponding to the one of the plurality of coil state displays comesinto view, the power control bar is configured to adjust a power levelof the one of the plurality of heating coils corresponding to the one ofthe plurality of coil state displays, wherein in response to the sensorsensing a drag touch in the one direction on the power control bar, thedisplay displays a power level for the one of the plurality of coilstate displays while increasing the power level in steps, and inresponse to the sensor sensing a drag touch in an opposite direction onthe power control bar, the display displays a power level for the one ofthe plurality of coil state displays while decreasing the power level insteps.
 9. The user interface of claim 8, wherein in response to thesensor sensing that a drag touch with respect to the power control bardisappears, the display keeps displaying a power level that is providedat a time when the drag touch disappears.